Happy 235th Birthday Ms. Austen!

Today, we celebrate a very special birthday in the literary world...

Happy 235th Birthday to Miss Jane Austen!


We all know who Jane Austen is; she is one of the literary geniuses who helped shape English Literature!  She may not have written the mass number of novels that some of today's authors have, but her six published works have impacted people all over the world for over 200 years and that is no small accomplishment!

{As a matter of fact, next year will be the 200th anniversary that her first novel, "Sense & Sensibility" was published!}

So today, in honor of Miss Austen's birthday, we're going to tell you about our favorite Jane Austen story and why...

Isalys's Favorite!
I idolize Jane Austen and my very favorite of her stories is "Pride & Prejudice" published on 28 Jan 1813. 

I think the real reason I've always loved this novel is because I've always felt a sort of kinship with the main character, Elizabeth Bennet.  Lizzie is intelligent, witty, lively, proud, stubborn and defensive of her family, even when they annoy her.  

And well, who doesn't love Mr. Darcy?  I love the evolution of his character.   From the aloof & arrogant man that we first met at the onset of the story to the romantic hero that won women's hearts everywhere!

Even considered a satire, Pride & Prejudice deals with issues of manners, upbringing, morality, education and marriage in the landed gentry society of early 19th-century England. 

"Though the story's setting is characteristically turn-of-the-19th-century, it retains a fascination for modern readers, continuing near the top of lists of 'most loved books'. It has become one of the most popular novels in English literature, and receives considerable attention from literary scholars. Modern interest in the book has resulted in a number of dramatic adaptations and an abundance of novels and stories imitating Austen's memorable characters or themes. To date, the book has sold some 20 million copies worldwide.[Wikipedia]

Vanessa's Favorite!
My favorite is "Sense & Sensibility" published in 1811.

It's my favorite because it's the first time I was introduced to Jane Austen and her wonderful writing. I automatically fell in love with the characters and the storyline. Marianne is the naive hopeless romantic and Elinor is the level headed, strong head of the family. I felt their pain and despair at having to leave their only home and possessions behind when their father passed away. I lived vicariously through Marianne as she willingly gave her heart away to the dashing Mr. Willoughby only to have it ripped apart b/c money was more important to him than love. I also enjoyed Elinor's story as she was fighting against her heart and her love for the not-so-eligible Edward. My favorite man, though, has to be Colonel Brandon! He, in my opinion, is the hero of the story. He was always there for the family when they needed help the most and he cared for Marianne even when she didn't return the feelings. I ♥ this story! 


What is your favorite Jane Austen story?

News Bits!
1) Sourcebooks, the world’s leading publisher of Jane Austen fiction, is offering a unique deal to readers who want to celebrate Jane by reading special editions of all six of Austen’s beloved novels in a 21st century format.

Special e-book editions of Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion and Mansfield Park will be available for free for one day only. These celebratory editions include the full novels, plus the legendary color illustrations of the Brock brothers, originally created to accompany the books in 1898.

In addition to the Jane Austen classics, readers can also enjoy these bestselling Austen-inspired novels. The following bestselling e-books will be free on December 16th & 17th in honor of her birthday:

Eliza’s Daughter by Joan Aiken
The Darcys & the Bingleys by Marsha Altman
Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll
What Would Jane Austen Do? by Laurie Brown
The Pemberley Chronicles by Rebecca Ann Collins
The Other Mr. Darcy by Monica Fairview
Mr. Darcy’s Diary by Amanda Grange
Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One by Sharon Lathan
Lydia Bennet’s Story by Jane Odiwe
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy by Abigail Reynolds

Available wherever eBooks are sold. 
{Includes, iBooks, Google Books, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Sony, and Sourcebooks.com.}
 ♥
2) The Sunday Times in London reported on February 8, 2009 that "Hollywood studios are bidding to turn a radical reworking of Austen’s most popular book, now called Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, a parody to be published in April, into a blockbuster movie".

At a book-signing Q & A held at California State University Fullerton on April 23, 2009, Grahame-Smith reported that Pride and Prejudice and Zombies had officially been purchased by an undisclosed major film company to be produced as a feature film.

It was reported on December 11, 2009 that the film adaptation will be financed and distributed through Lionsgate.  It was also reported that Natalie Portman will produce the film and star in the lead role and David O. Russell will direct.  The latter has left production because of scheduling conflicts.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see!

So again, Happy Birthday to Miss Austen!!  Thank you for your contributions to the world of English Literature!  Wish we could have met you!

3 comments:

  1. I've only read Northanger Abbey, can you believe that (of an English major)? Thanks for letting us know about the free e-books. I downloaded them and also got the audiobooks from the library and will read them soon. They are a must!

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  2. I have sooo much reading to do and happily grabbed all the freebies. Can you believe I've only read Emma. :)

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  3. yay for janie! after reading mansfield park this year, it is creeping up past my P&P fave. i'm planning to read persuasion next year and see if that overtakes the lead.

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